​18 Don’t remember the prior things;
    don’t ponder ancient history.19 Look! I’m doing a new thing;
    now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths[a] in the wilderness.20 The beasts of the field,  the jackals and ostriches, will honor me, because I have put water in the desert and streams in the wilderness to give water to my people,  my chosen ones            Isaiah 43:18-20
 
The OT reading today from the prophet tells how Israel was reminded to not dwell on the past ( their deliverance from tyranny and slavery at the hands of the Egyptians and the Babylonians), but God will bring a deliverance far greater and broader than what anyone could imagine – this was the foretelling of The Messiah , The Anointed One , and His victory over sin and death !!     Our NT reading for today also speaks of this subject :
 
17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!     2 Corinthians 5:17
 
Let us pray together – Creating and loving God – Just as You delivered your chosen ones from the hands of their oppressors , we all have been saved by this new creation – the shackles and chains of sin and certain death have been overcome, once and for all, by the redeeming blood of Jesus. We are a grateful people , dear Lord. Thank you that you love us all so much !!!    It is indeed in Jesus’ Name we pray.   Amen.
 
Yours in Christ , Rollie

2 You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us. You weren’t written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. You weren’t written on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.                           
​    2 Corinthians 3:2-3    
 
In this portion of Paul’s letter, he is stating how wonderful it is to see the fruits of ministry in the people that the minister serves ( in his case, the people of Corinth ). It is a delight to see that success in the hearts and in the lives of those folks that they worked with and brought God’s Word to. Paul also makes a reference to how the Holy Spirit worked in them, that “Christ’s letter “ was not written with ink or on tablets ( reference to how the law was given to Moses ), but within their hearts.
 
Let us pray together – Great Creator , our Loving God – we thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Since we were young, we have been taught about Your goodness, Your Grace and mercy to others , how the life of love is indeed a more perfect way. As adults we now want so much to take all that we know about You and spread this to all the nations, so that their hearts and lives can be filled with this same wonderful spirit of hope, understanding and peace.  Guide us, Lord, that this can and will happen !!      It is in Jesus’ Name we pray.    Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

14 This is why I kneel before the Father. 15 Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16 I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17 I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18 I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19 I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.      Ephesians 3:14-19
 
In God’s Word, this section is labeled A Prayer for the Ephesians. He speaks not only of his wish for spiritual blessings for these people, but also how wide, high and deep God’s love for every person, for every nation, no matter who they may be.  He also speaks of how he hopes and prays that the people have a sense of deep, fulfilling satisfaction in this knowledge, as he does.
 
Let us pray please :  Gracious and All-Powerful God, we are in awe of Your greatness – Your Love knows no boundaries, like a bottomless, shoreless ocean. Your power in our lives goes beyond our human understanding. You are The LORD, one and only God of our lives, and we , Your church, praise You !!  Help us God, to speak and share this knowledge of You and Your Love with all people, no matter where they are , no matter who they are. We pray all this in our Redeemer’s Saving name.   Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

​16 So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. 17 Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. 18 We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.     2 Corinthians 4:16-18   CEB
 
In this reading, Paul speaks of how the preaching and conversation done by him and others, as well as any physical or earthly suffering they may endure,  was for the good of the church, and to God’s glory. The prospect of having eternal life was great support and comfort to them. In this reading, Paul truly feels that what he is going through is minor. What about ours, what we are going through these days ?   Our faith really helps us see things in a good and proper light !!
 
Let us pray please :  Holy and Giving God, You are indeed our comfort, our tower of strength, the peace for our hearts that we desire. There are problems here that we are enduring, yes – a hurting and upset world, torn by division and pain. Help us to bring this light to all – the light of understanding, of healing, of forgiveness, and of love for all our neighbors.
It is through our Savior, The Risen One, that we pray.    Amen
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.      Ephesians 4:22-24
 
In today’s reading, Paul speaks of putting off, or removing, the “old self” – the life in sin we were leading. Much like taking off dirty clothes. Those old ways of sinful desires need to be subdued. But then, they also need to be replaced. But, with what though ?  We can and should put on clean clothes, if you will, this “new self” he speaks of - the life given to us through the saving power of God through Jesus !!
 
Let us pray : Holy and Eternal One, help us we pray to continue to put off, to rid ourselves of the sinful nature that Man has, that life of anger, hatred, and greed – help us to clothe ourselves with compassion and caring for others, of giving to others. Help us to “love one another” as Your Son taught us.
We pray this and much more through Your Son’s Redeeming name.  Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

​14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.         Jonah 1:14-16
 
In this very familiar story about Jonah, God has a task for Jonah to do, and Jonah tries to run away from it. On board the ship, a terrible storm hits, putting all in danger. Jonah sees this as the punishment for his sinful existence. He understands that God will only be satisfied when if he turns and “throws away” the sins in his life. By doing that (symbolically by being thrown overboard), God saves him through His divine mercy by being in “the great fish” for three days and three nights. Afterwards, he submits to God and does the work God needs from him. In this book lies a wonderful story for all of us !!
 
Let us pray together :  Loving and Merciful One, we pray that you continue to rain down Your kindness and forgiveness to us, a sinful people. Teach us, Lord, how important it is that we forgive as You forgive. By throwing away the sinful life, You tell us we can grow closer to You, learn more of Your mighty acts, grow in our understanding of what you desire from us. Help us to be a people who love, not hate ; a people who build, not tear down ; a people who desire righteousness, not sinfulness.  All this we continue to pray in the Name of Christ, our Savior.   Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

​18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.  19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.     1 Corinthians 9:18,19
 
Paul was not looking to earn a lot of money or any kind of earthly riches by preaching The Word, that was not his aim or desire. His life was completely dedicated to doing good for the LORD. It was important for him to help people understand that putting their trust in Christ alone is what is important.   Paul went above and beyond the call of duty, by giving himself totally to this work of preaching, essentially living a poor ( by money standards) life, but the richness he had was in his soul – a soul devoted to Christ !
 
Let us pray together – Holy One , Creator God , we want to be filled with the zeal and enthusiasm that Paul had, the pure desire to serve You with all the strength and ability that we can muster, as he did for You so long ago. Indeed, Father, You are the lover of our souls, and we thank You for caring about us so deeply. Cultivate in us a longing to learn more about You, to be more like You, to open the eyes and ears of this thirsting world to the beauty of YOU !!      It is in Your Son’s Name we pray.   Amen
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie